Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i3-6100 (Intel, 2016) and Core i7-870 (Intel, 2010) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i3-6100 is about 4% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1151 / LGA1156), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i3-6100 | i7-870 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 5,200 | 5,000 |
| Generation | 6th Gen | 1st Gen |
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1156 |
| Release Year | 2016 | 2010 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 6500 XT | Intel Arc A380 6GB |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i3-6100 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i7-870 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i3-6100 is about 4% higher by score (i3-6100: 5200 points / i7-870: 5000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i3-6100 is 6th Gen, while i7-870 is 1st Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1151 / LGA1156), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 6500 XT pairs well with i3-6100 and Intel Arc A380 6GB pairs well with i7-870. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
